Shaken Into Further Silence

Most Malaysians are relying on a faithful old friend, reticence, to get them through the spate of church attacks, which rose to 11 on Thursday when a church in Johor was splashed with red paint. That may be helping to prevent a mass outbreak of violence. And yet, left uncorrected, the pernicious habit will ensure the country further regresses socially and ethnically, if not economically.

Ethnic resentments and suspicions have been high for years, in no small way because Malaysians have not found the courage and wisdom to reflect on and talk through unflattering realities. The attacks have only served to magnify the anger and mistrust.

And so it is that Malaysians must respond to this unprecedented surge of hatred in an unprecedented way.

Now is the time to reach out across race lines. Now is the time for Malays to communicate to their non-Malay brethren – not officially but on the ground, in day-to-day conversations – that they condemn the attacks. It’s equally incumbent that non-Malays convey that they don’t hold the whole of the Malay community responsible. I sense that Malays feel the spotlight is on them and they’re humiliated and this might lead them to retreat further under the coconut shell, where fear and hate will fester at the expense of competency and empowerment. Non-Muslims can help prevent this.

Or Malaysians can keep relying on their worn out band-aid of silence. But of course that more, rooted in fear and pride, is partly what got Malaysia into the mess in the first place. And so it would be downright dangerous for Malaysians to put faith in it once more.

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

The way this piece is written, to me, is implying that the Malays are reserved in their feelings. But I also have to say that because of this reserve, Malaysia is able to maintain a unified front on otherwise catastrophic event. There is (was) not a dispute (major or otherwise) that can break this hold.

Your claim that, “ Ethnic resentments and suspicions have been high for years..” is nowhere near accurate. I may sound defensive, but I must reiterate that because the Malays are by nature respectful and tolerant of other races/ethnic groups/religions. This is the line that fuses Malaysians, and perhaps you may not be aware of this, it is the graciousness and consideration of Malaysians in general that able us to be united no matter what tribulations befall us.

Being Malay myself, I must concede that, this reserve and politeness can be of disadvantage in many situations. However, in this particular attacks on churches shouldn’t be fueled with more speculations.

Should we harbor ill-feelings to one another, Malaysia is not going to survive the multi-racial elements.

Your say that “I sense that Malays feel the spotlight is on them and they’re humiliated…” well, I will have to respect this and simply regard it as a subjective opinion but indeed to me is very fallacious.

Whatever attacks that may loom near the future will only bring us together more.

Gatsiounis is an East Africa-based author and journalist known for his frank and revealing analysis of pressing global issues. Prior to his arrival on the Continent last year, his trenchant and often prescient commentaries, penned in a climate of restriction and intimidation for publications across the political spectrum, including Newsweek, ... Continue reading →